My name is Beth Trevethick, and I’m the programme manager
for the BSc (Hons) Applied Marine Zoology course. I’m incredibly passionate
about marine wildlife, conservation, and ecological fieldwork — especially when
it comes to marine mammals, seabirds, and the amazing biodiversity found in our
coastal waters.
Teaching here in Newquay is an absolute privilege. We’re
lucky to be based right on the Cornish coast, where marine life is part of the
everyday environment. From surveying grey seals and harbour porpoises to
exploring intertidal habitats, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get
hands-on experience with the species and ecosystems we study.
I lecture on a range of topics including marine ecology,
wildlife monitoring techniques, conservation policy, and statistical analysis
for field research. I'm especially passionate about helping students build the
practical skills and confidence they need to work in real-world conservation
and research settings.
As you start your journey with us, I encourage you to take
full advantage of everything this course and location offer — whether that’s
joining field surveys, volunteering with local conservation groups, learning to
analyse data in R, or simply spending time watching and monitoring wildlife on
the cliffs and beaches. We also have strong links with organisations like
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the Seal Research
Trust and other local marine research charities, giving you plenty of chances
to develop your experience outside the classroom.
Most importantly, I hope you enjoy your time here and
immerse yourself in both the science and the community that surrounds it. The
marine world is facing real challenges, and we need passionate, skilled
graduates to help make a difference. I look forward to working with you along
the way.
Welcome to Newquay, and welcome to the BSc Applied Marine
Zoology course!
You might already have many of the items listed, but please make sure to click the link above to check the Equipment List for the BSc (Hons) Applied Marine Zoology program.
This link will take you to the download page for QGIS if you want to download in preparation for your course. Choose the right download package for your laptop (Microsoft or Mac).
Reading List
At
Higher Education (HE) Level 6, the expectation is that you will mostly use
primary, peer-reviewed literature (scientific journals) to inform your work.
You will have free access to a vast electronic library through your University
of Plymouth digital account. So, there is no major requirement to invest in
expensive textbooks for the BSc Applied Zoology course.
The
prices quoted are from the natural history book store www.nhbs.com (please see the link below), but
it is worth checking Amazon’s “new and used” section for second hand copies.
You
may also find 2nd hand books being sold by previous students on the Students
at Cornwall College Newquay Facebook page (please see the link below). However,
one textbook that we do use as the core text for the Honours Project module is:
Barnard, C., Gilbert, F. and McGregor, P. (2016)Asking
Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and
Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. London: Pearson Higher Education.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292085999 | £28.99 | We
hold several copies of this textbook in the Learning Centre, but some
students find having access to their own personal copy useful.
We
also teach statistical analysis using the R-studio package for which there are
a number of good supporting books, two of which are shown below. However, there
are also many free resources online for learning R, so you may want to wait
until starting the course before making a decision as to whether or not to
invest in a book.
Useful Books
Beckerman
A. P., Childs D. Z. and Petchey O. L. (2017) Getting Started with
R: An Introduction for Biologists. 2nd edn.
Oxford: University Press.
Notes: ISBN-10:
0199601623 | £25.49
OR
Gardener,
M. (2017) Statistics for Ecologists using R and Excel. 2nd edn. London: Pelagic Publishing.
The Natural History Book Store, also known as NHBS, specialises in books and equipment related to wildlife, ecology, and conservation. They offer over 135,000 books covering various aspects of natural history, along with a comprehensive rangeof wildlife survey equipment, nest boxes, and habitat management tools.
Ocean Exploration Trust explores the ocean, seeking out new discoveries while pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, education, and outreach. Founded in 2007 by Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard, our international expeditions launched from aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus center scientific exploration of the seafloor, collaborating with the broad scientific and local communities, and engaging curious minds worldwide via interactive live streaming deep sea exploration and education programs.
Watch all episodes of the Blue Planet 2. In recent years, our knowledge of life beneath the waves has been transformed. Using cutting-edge technology in this extended special, we celebrate the highlights from the series. From the intense heat of the tropics to our planet's frozen poles, through to its unexplored depths, we reveal new worlds and extraordinary never-seen-before animal behaviours.
Filled with stories of people living out their soul's calling, the So You Want to be a Marine Biologist podcast is your go-to resource for exploring the connection between humans, the land and the high seas. If you've dreamed of journeying the ocean's depths, wondered where your food comes from, or thought about how it all fits together, this podcast is for you. This show dive into science, conservation and living in connection with our blue planet.
Marine Mammal Science is a podcast covering some of the latest scientific research on marine mammals - whales and dolphins, polar bears, seals and seal lions, mantees and dugongs, and sea otters. The podcast is produced by Absolutley SMashing Events and Consulting on behalf of the Society for Marine Mammalogy and the journal Marine Mammal Science.
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour Podcast looks at the many different sides of Conservation Science (marine, environmental, animal and human) in an informal setting, during a pub Happy Hour, chatting casually over a few drinks.